My Music

Born Christian Charles Shirima in 1986, singer/songwriter and producer CeZeLiNi was raised in Tanzania after birth in Kenya where his parents resided before returning to their homeland. CeZeLiNi is now situated in Canada where he has managed to establish himself as a credible artist and producer.

His bond with music began when he was an infant barely able to walk, his siblings would hear him sing ti’s and ta’s in perfect rhythm. One such is heard in the commencement of the song ‘Special Moments.’ By the time he could walk, he was banging beats on tables with kitchen utensils. By age 16 he was producing fully fleshed beats with his school’s keyboard. A little after that he moved to Canada for high school and University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. It was here with the aid of software he truly hit his pace. Within a year CeZeLiNi had made over 200 beats and produced 2 albums for ‘Delta 14’ his long time friend back in Kenya.

Collaborating with K-slo and Robz (winner of the Best Producer Award at IADT – International Academy of Design and Technology) in 2007 they founded Time Wreakords. The amazing Trio has produced numerous hit records for Toronto based artists Cuban, O. Dizzle, Nyce and Delta 14 who moved to Canada after the success of his previous albums.  

In 2009 CeZeLiNi began adding even more elements to his musical palette by playing with Ottawa based band ‘Tonality’ alongside bassist Nick Thomas, drummer Emree Wilson and guitarist Ryan Tracey. His contribution to the band revolved around vocals, keyboard and percussion. 

With the release of his debut album ‘Songs For You’ CeZeLiNi shines with his production, instrumentation and vocal abilities. Pulling from influences in Hip hop, R&B, World, Rap and Rock CeZeLiNi has created a unique and original style of music he can call his own. Tribal African rhythms with electric guitars never afar, syncopated loops with dance synthesizers below, cascading piano chords and high hat patterns the likes of Timbaland. These feats are the domain of CeZeLiNi coupled with lyrics similar to the Marley family and Michael Franti.

He has performed throughout Ontario and shared the stage with East African Stars such as Nameless, Chameleon and Redsun. Winner of CUNSA’s (Carleton University Nigerian Student Association) Talent of the Year award, CeZeLiNi aims for nothing short but the stars. His attitude and ability are in check and his music speaks for itself. 

In CeZeLiNi's native village Rombo situated on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania reside 60 plus children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS, abandonment or poverty. Luckily enough for these children they have a home which nurtures them during the time they need the most care to survive the world. That home is called CNCC (Cornel Ngaleku Children Centre), an orphanage named after CeZeLiNi's grandfather that looks after children between infancy and age 8, whom otherwise would have little to no survival chances in the devastating conditions they would encounter. Not only has the District where the Centre is hosted suffered from extreme poverty, but Tanzania as a whole, therefore the demand for care is immense and it is difficult to imagine having enough orphanages to satisfy the need. CeZeLiNi has been actively involved with CNCC during his visits to Tanzania by providing for and serving the orphanage. Currently he is going the extra mile by donating the first $2000 from album sales and a third of each subsequent sale to the Centre. Thus not only are you purchasing a great album, you are taking part in a good cause.

Donations do not stop at purchasing CeZeLiNi's album, the Centre is growing rapidly and it's in constant need of volunteers and finances for its up keep. Therefore support CeZeLiNi in this cause by visiting the CNCC website and finding out how you can support CNCC in your own personal way.

CNCC - www.ngaleku.org